Page 125 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

Max stepped forward, placing his hand on Rowan’s arm. “Yer right.” He nodded at Caiyan. “I am a person. I have my own mind, and I make my own decisions.” He squeezed Rowan’s arm in a calming gesture.

“No, Max, you can’t.” I stepped toward him, but I’d need a boost to get out of the pit.

Max studied each of us, ending with me. His eyes held mine. “This key ’tis important, yeah?”

“It’s the most important thing we’ve ever discovered.” I lowered my eyes. I couldn’t lie, not even to keep Max and Mortas apart.

“I’m willing to give up my claim to the stone in order to know you, Max.” Mortas extended his hand, palm up, and moved it across his waist like a game show host asking Max to pick a card.

“Your claim,” Marco chuffed.

“That’s bullshit.” Sasha stepped forward. “You don’t give a shit about him. You want the key.”

“He’s right,” Caiyan said.

My head snapped hard in Caiyan’s direction, and he held up a hand for me to be patient. “Mortas has jest as much claim to the stone as any of us. We’re supposed to work together. ’Twas my grandfather’s last wish.”

“And mine,” Marco said, “I realize that now. One of the last things he said to me was he wanted to turn back time, change his mistakes, forgive his enemies, win back his friends. I think he died trying.”

“That settles it.” Max moved in front of Rowan. “I weel return to yer time.”

I sucked in air. I wanted Max to return, but with me, not join the Mafusos. Jake would never forgive me for allowing this to happen, not to mention the general. He’d ground me for life.

Max turned and spoke to us. “In exchange for Captain Crunch joining hands with you, I’ll agree to spend time with him. Get to know my family. Decide for myself if my family is good or bad.”

Mortas grimaced at the fake name. I’d told him it was silly. “Please, uhm, call me Mortas.”

“Captain Mortas Crunch it is then.” Max smiled innocently at Mortas.

A giggle escaped from Sasha. And then Marco laughed, and everyone laughed, except Mortas and me.

I swallowed my uneasiness, and my lips drew tight. I promised Rowan I’d look after Max. I couldn’t do that if the Mafusos brainwashed him and turned him against us.

“Choose yer battles,” Caiyan said softly.

Rowan dropped his head, hiding the shine in his eyes I’d seen in the lantern light.

Max turned to Rowan. “Row, ye have raised me well. And ye need to trust me, no? I’ll make the right choice, but withoot the decision to be placed in front of me I willnae be able to choose.”

“Aye,” Rowan nodded.

“Wait a damn minute,” Sasha held up her hand. “Max, you’re my family too. I want you to live with me in my grandfather’s castle. It’s what our mother would have wanted.”

“Joint custody then?” Mortas asked.

Max laughed. “My family is fighting over me. A castle or—” he paused and looked over at Mortas. “Where do ye call home?”

“New York City.” Mortas sent Max a devilish smile that I assumed women who loved bondage might consider attractive.

“A castle and Nuyerkcity. I’ll have a roof over my head and plenty to eat, yeah?” Max gave Rowan an I’ll-get-on-fine expression.

“You can’t even imagine the fine taverns near my home,” Mortas said.

“Can we get on wit’ it?” Caiyan motioned at the stone. “The moon cycle ’tis closing.”

Mortas joined us. Before he touched the stone, he turned toward Marco and me. “Just for the record, I didn’t kill Marco’s grandfather, or your aunt. Gian-Carlo ordered the hit.”

I nodded. We each placed our hands beneath our marks. A murmur began deep inside the stone and escalated into a vibration. Heat radiated up my arm. A bolt of lightning flashed through the skylight, followed by a sharp gunshot-sounding bang. It knocked us on our asses. A crack snaked across the stone.

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